What is true, however, is that some members of the Republican establishment -- like Karl Rove -- are unsatisfied with a GOP presidential field consisting of Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, and Michele Bachmann.

That's why the buzz around Christie and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan has grown a little bit louder in recent days. There's an opening for another Republican to get into the race. The question -- about five months until the Iowa caucuses -- is whether it's too late.